More than 500 taxi drivers and their customers have signed a petition calling for the council to reconsider moving a taxi rank as part of a six-month town centre improvement strategy.

Surrey County Council plans to move the taxi rank about 300 feet, from next to the entrance to the Ashley Centre by the clock tower to outside TK Maxx.

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The move is part of Plan E, a package of changes to the town’s road layout starting in January 2017. As part of Plan E the pavement outside Metro Bank would be widened, the signalling at the Spread Eagle junction changed, and South Street made two-way.

A spokesman for Surrey County Council, which is leading the works, said moving the taxi rank would make it safer to get into cabs.

Taxi drivers disagree.

From August 2015: What makes Epsom town centre junction so dangerous?

From September: Epsom taxi drivers fear future pick-up point under Plan E in wrong place for elderly and disabled customers

Edward Rose, 71, (second from the left) has been a cab driver for 46 years.

He believes moving the rank will be a disaster for him and his customers – especially the elderly or disabled.

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The majority of his fares are "tiny jobs" in and around Epsom, often transporting people who have finished shopping in High Street or the Ashley Centre.

“It’s important that a taxi rank is in the right place,” Mr Rose said.

“The elderly and disabled people need the rank here.”

From September 2016: Works on expansive Epsom town centre plan announced for new year

He was one of more than 500 people who signed the petition handed in to Epsom and Ewell Borough Council last week.

It read: “(We) believe that moving the taxi rank, that has been there since the early 1970s, back down the High Street, and to the other side of the road, would be detrimental to the present high quality service that is now supplied to the shopping centre.

“We would ask you as the council to reconsider the move of the rank and perhaps look into other, more sensible locations in the area of the present rank so we can continue the quality service that we have always provided.”

From February 2010: Public consultation on plans to improve Epsom Town Centre begins

A county council spokesman said: “The new position of the taxi rank will improve safety for pedestrians with pavements in the area being widened while also encouraging visitors to use the whole of the town centre.

“After listening to the views of all town centre users who responded to our consultation, we believe these improvements will secure a successful future for Epsom town centre.”

An Epsom and Ewell council spokesman confirmed receipt of the petition and advised that a six-week consultation was held between March and April 2015, during which residents were invited to comment on the proposed Plan E. More than 2,500 comments or suggestions were received during this period.

He added: “A public notice will be displayed advising of the intention to relocate the taxi rank, this will include a further opportunity for members of the public to express their views.

“The petition will be considered by councillors as part of this process.”

For more information, visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/epsomhighwayimprovements

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